Holder for cigarettes and the like



5, 1950 B. F. CONLEY 2,518,976

HOLDER FOR CIGARETTES AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 8, 1947 INVENTOR.

BERNARD F'. CONLEY I "WQQWM A2212;

Patented Aug. 15, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 t 7 2,51s,97e it I HOLDER FOR. CIGARETTES ANDVTHE LIKE I Bernard Conley, South Chicago, Ill." Application January s, 1947, Serial No. 720,781

This invention relates to holders for cigarettes and the like-and more particularlyto such holders adapted to promote safety and cleanliness.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a holder for cigarettes and the like which embodies a light weight and relatively rigid perforated enclosure for the cigarette, which enclosure is constructed to present a relatively cool outer surface in use and the perforations of which are adapted to retain live sparks within the enclosure.

It is another object of the invention to provide a holder for cigarettes and the like which includes a perforated enclosure for the cigarette, so constructed and arranged that it is adapted to production by molding of a material, such as plastic.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings in which similar characters of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views.

In the one sheet of drawings:

Fig. l is an exploded view inside elevation depictinga preferred embodiment of my invention; Figs. 2 and 3 are end elevational views drawn to a somewhat larger scale than that utilized in Fig. l andindicating the structure when viewed substantially as indicated by the lines 22 and 3-3, respectively, in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side sectional view wherein the section is taken substantially as indicated by a line 4-4 in Fig. 1 and the accompanying arrows; and 1 Fig. 5 is a sectional view wherein the section is taken substantially on a line 5-5 of Fig. 4 and viewed in the direction indicated by the accompanying arrows.

In the exemplary embodiment of my invention which is depicted in the accompanying drawings for illustrative purposes, a stem I!) of relatively conventional construction has a mouthpiece [2 at one end and a cigarette-receiving and holding counterbore It in the other end with a longitudinal smoke passage l4 extending therethroug-h. As illustrated by dot and dash lines in Figs. 1 and 4, a cigarette or the like [5 is inserted in the counterbore l3 and supported by the stem in the usual manner with the cigarette projecting axially from the end of the stem.

. For use with this relatively conventional type of holder for cigarettes and the like, I have provided an elongated and perforated cover I6 adapted to be carried by the cigarette-holding end of the stem so as to effectively enclose the 2 Claims. (Cl. 131-174) normally projecting portion of the cigarette or the like as it burns. The closure not only prevents contact with the ignited end of the cigarette, but promotes safety and cleanliness by retaining sparks and ashes therein while the cigarette is being smoked. 1

To facilitate manufacturing at low cost, and to provide a structure for the cover which is light in weight as well as durable and effective, I have de signed and adapted the same for production by molding'of a light weight thermoplastic material. Generally, the cover I6 is cylindrical in shape having an open end I! for receiving a cigarette such as 15 and the end of the stem 10, and, by preference, tapers inwardly toward a closed end I8. A wall !9, which comprises the cover in my disclosed structure, is desirably provided on its inner surface with a plurality of circumferentially spaced and longitudinally extending ribs 20 which project inwardly in a radial direction to define a cigarette-receiving chamber 2| and longitudinal channels 22. The dimensions of the chamber within the peripheral surfaces of the ribs, are such that a cigarette or the like which is supported by the stem will be held within the chamber in spaced relationship to the inner peripheral surfaces of the ribs when the end of the holder is mounted snugly against tapered end surfaces 23 of the ribs at the open end of the cover.

Along a major portion of its outer surface the cover I6 has'a series of axially spaced circumferential channels 24, which channels are separated by a series of intervening circumferential ribs 25. The depths of the respective internal and external channels 22.and 24, which channels are 1 transversely disposed relative to one another, are

so related to the thickness of the wall l9 that they intersect to provide a multiplicity of perforations 26 in the wall. The widths of the intersecting channels are such that the perforations readily permit the flow of air therethrough, but do not allow ashes, and particularly live sparks, to pass therethrough. It is also desirable that the thickness of the wall, and, consequently, the combined radial thicknesses of the ribs, shall be such that the outer surface of the cover does not become sufficiently hot to burn the user or an article upon which the holder may be placed.

In order to adapt the structure and arrangement of my holder to production by molding processes, although it may be readily made by other methods, I have arranged the respective ribs and channels so that the dies may be readily withdrawn therefrom and so that perforations are formed by the same dies and in the same operation as the molding of the holder. That is, the core portions of the die which forms the interior of the cover may be withdrawn from the open end l1. This is true whether the longitudinal ribs 26 extend to the extreme open end of the cover or whether they are terminated internally of the cover so as to leave a larger circular opening for the reception and support-of the cover by the stem; The mold for the exterior surface, including the circumferential ribs 25 and their intervening channels 24, may be divided and thus removed radially. The dies interfit to provide the intersections of the channels so that the perforations are formed in the single molding operation.

It is readily understandable that the ribs and dies might have different sectional shapes and might be disposed at different angles relative to one another to provide some different pattern or appearance without departing from the illustrated structural advantages. It is also considered to be clearly illustrated by the foregoing description and reference to the drawings that I have .provided a cigarette holder adapted to inexpensive and rapid production from light materials, as well as a holder which promotes safety and avoids some of the annoyances or dangers of smoking.

While I have illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention, many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and I do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of all changes within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure'by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. A holder for cigarettes and the like comprising, in combination, a stem having a mouthtending inwardly in a radial direction to define a cigarette-receiving chamber with a longitudinally channelled interior surface, said ribs being defined by surfaces extending to the open end of the cover, and said wall also having in its exterior surface a series of longitudinally spaced annular channels of a depth such that they intersect the channels of the interior surf-ace to provide a. multiplicity of perforations. in the wall.

2. In a holder for cigarettes and the like, a safety cigarette cover adapted to be produced by molding of a thermoplastic material and comprising, in combination, a generally cylindrical and axially elongated wall having an open end and a closed end. and being of substantially uniform internal diameter along the major portion of its length and tapered inwardly only near its closed end, the inner surface of said wall being provided with a series of axial ribs spaced circumferentially and extending inwardly in a radial direction to define a cigarette-receiving chamher having a longitudinally channelled inner surface with the channels thereof extending to the open end of the wall, and the outer surface of said wall having therein a plurality of axially spaced circumferential channels of a depth sufficient to intersect the longitudinal channels in the. inner surface, thereby providing a multiplicity of perforations in said wall as well as an externally ribbed outer surface.

BERNARD F. CONLEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record, in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,106,495. Clifford Aug. 11,. 1914 1,266,553 Cherekjian May 21, 1918 2,325,412 Martin July 27, 1943 2,386,159 Elder Oct. 2, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 340,884 Great Britain Jan. 8, 1931 604,971 France Feb. 8, 1926 801,967 France May 30, 1936 

